Valve actuating mechanism



June 30, 1959 Filed June 3, 1958 J. BIRKMAIER VALVE ACTUATING MECHANISM2 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 30, 1959 B|RKMA|ER 2,892,611

VALVE ACTUATING MECHANISM Filed June 3, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 UnitedStates Patent This application is a continuation in part of my copendingapplication Serial No. 649,821 filed April 1, 1957, entitled Flush ValveConstruction, now abandoned.

This invention relates generally to the plumbing art, and moreparticularly to an improved valve actuating mechanism for use inconjunction with water closets, flush tanks, and the like.

In the prior art, such constructions have included a valve operated by afloat disposed within the tank, and a second valve which is manuallyoperated, which is opened during the flushing cycle. The last-mentionedvalve is normally of a floating type, the same rising to the surface ofthe water disposed within the tank when dislodged from a 'valve seat,and falling with the surface of the water within the tank as the tank isemptied to again seat itself at the completion of a flushing operation.Such constructions have suifered from a number of disadvantages, in thatowing to the large number of brass and copper parts employed, themanufacturing cost of the same is high. Moreover, due to the use ofrubber ball valves, deterioration causes frequent repair andaccompanying inconvenience. Further, even the brass and copper partsemployed are subject to corrosion, particularly where the local watersupply contains a large amount of corrosioninducing impurities.

It is therefore among the principal objects of the present invention toprovide improved valve actuating mechanism in which the above-mentioneddisadvantages have been substantially eliminated.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of improved valveactuating mechanism in which substantially all of the exposed andoperating parts are composed of molded or cast synthetic resin, therebyassuring a complete absence of corrosion, and an accompanying relatively long troublefree useful life.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of improved valveactuating mechanism in which the manufacturing cost, as compared withprior art constructions, may "be of a reasonably low order, therebypermitting consequent wide sale, distribution and use.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of structurepossessed of the above enumerated advantages which may be readily andconveniently installed by those skilled in the art, using tools andtechniques known in the art.

These objects as well as other incidental ends and advantages willbecome more clearly apparent during the course of the followingdisclosure, and be pointed out in the appended claims.

On the drawings, to which reference will be made in the specification,similar reference characters have been employed to designatecorresponding parts throughout the several views.

Figure l is a plan view of an embodiment of the invention.

,;Figure 2 is a side elevational view, partially in section.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view as seen from theplane 33 on Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an exploded view in perspective showingthe valve actuatingmeans which comprises a part of the embodiment.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view, partlyin elevation, showingthe valve elementin assembled condition and in a first operativeposition.

Figure 6 is a similar sectional view, partly in elevation, but showing asecond operative position thereof.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional view as seen from p the plane 7-7 onFigure 6.

In accordance with the invention, the device, generally indicated byreference character 10, comprises broadly: a float element 12, a floatvalve element 13, a flush valve element 14, a flush valve cage element15, a flush valve seat element 16, and an overflow pipe element17. Allof the above-mentioned elements are preferably formed en-' tirely fromsynthetic resinous material, as for example, polystyrene, polyethylene,Plexiglas, and the like.

The float element includes a float member 18 adjustably mounted upon ashaft member 19. The float member 18' is generally tubular inconfiguration, including an upper wall 20, a lower wall 21, an outercylindrical side wall 22, and an inner cylindrical side wall 23. Themember 18 may be molded or cast in as many parts as desired, andintegrated to form a hermetically sealed chamber between theabove-mentioned walls. 1

The shaft member 19, best seen on Figure 2, is preferably cylindrical,including an upper end 24, and a lower end 25 having joint means 26adapted to engage a clevis portion on a horizontal arm 29. Extendingthroughout the length of the shaft member 19, between the upper andlower ends 24 and 25, are a plurality of annular grooves 27 in which apair of resilient retainer members 28 may be selectively engageable. Asmay be seen on Figure 2, by engaging a retainer member 28, both aboveand below the float member 18, the position of the float member withrespect to the shaft member may be fixed at a desired level.

The float valve element 13 is preferably mounted upon the overflow pipeelement 17, and includes a horizontally disposed supporting member 30.Positioned upon the upper surface of the supporting member 30 are a pairof valve retaining members 31 and 32 bordering a substantially circularvertically disposed orifice 33. A vertically disposed support portion 34extends downwardly from the plane of the member 30.

The valve casing or housing 35 includes a substantiallyverticallydisposed cylindrical wall, 36, the lower end 37 of which is providedwith arcuate flanges 38 and 38 (see Figure 4) which permit the casing 35to be quickly attached and detached from the horizontally disposedsupport member 30 for servicing. For mounting and dismounting, it isnecessary only to manually rotate the casing through a quarter turnwherein the flanges 38 and 38' are clear of engagement with theretaining members 31 and 32, following which the casing 35 may be lifteddirectly upward to disclose all of the working parts which may requireservicing.

The casing 35 also includes a top wall member 39 having a centrallydisposed orifice 40, which is connected to an inlet pipe 41. The innersurfaceof the top wall 42 forms a valve seat against which a piston-typevalve member 43 may be urged by the rising of the float element 12.

The cylindrical side surface of the valve member 43 may be provided witha gasket or packing 45 to prevent leak age thereby, the lower portion ofthe member 43 being connected to an operating link 103.

Disposed below the supportmember 30, and pivotally mounted on the member34 is a substantially horizontally:

, 3 disposed '1ever'membe r'47. Pin means 48 engages with a clevis typejoint 49 (see Figure 4) and permits pivotal reciprocation about an axisthrough the same. At the lefthand portion 50 of the member 47 is acleyis type joint including a pair of large orifices 51 and 52 in whichthere are positioned for rotation a pair of circular plates 53'and 54.The plates are provided with orifices 55 and 56, respectively, andsupport therein a pin 57. The pin 57 also passes through an opening 58in the end 59 of the-lever member 29. The plates 53 and 54 are providedwith eccentrically disposed bores 90 and 91, respectively, and acorresponding bore 92 is provided in the end 59, the three bores beingengaged by a pin 93. Positioned within the opening 33 are a pair offixed anchor members 94 and 95, having pin means 94' and 95',respectively. The pin means 94' and 95 are engaged by bores 96 and 97in-pivotally mounted members 98 and 99, respectively. At the lower endsof the members 98 and 99 are bores 100 and 101, respectively, which arealso engaged by the pin 93. Pivotally mounted in a recess 102 in thelever member 47 is a vertically disposed link 103 maintained in'positionby a pin 104. The upper end 105 of the link 103 engages a clevis joint106 on the valve member 43, and is supported by a pin 107.

From a consideration of Figures 4 to 7, inclusive, it will be apparentthat as the float element rises and falls under the action of waterwithin the tank, motion is transmitted through the arm 29 to result in avertical recipro cation of the valve member 43. The motion involvedincludes apivoting of the arm 29 about an axis through the pin 93. Thepin 93, extending through the lever member 47, describes in turn orbitalmotion about the pin 57, and the lever member 47 pivots about an axisthrough the pin 48. As the pin means 94' and 95' are fixed with respectto the member 30, during the above motion, the members 98 and 99 willpivot about the same under motion imparted by the pin 51, which alsopasses therethrough. Member 103, which is loosely connected to the levermember 47 will execute motion having a substantially vertically disposedcomponent resulting in the movement of the member 53 to open or closethe opening 40.

The flush valve element 14 is preferably formed from a soft resilientplastic material, such as polyethylene, vinyl copolymer, or the like. Itincludes a cylindrical portion 61 having a top wall 62, an uppercylindrical bead 63, a cylindrical side wall 64, and a lower cylindricalhead 65. Extending downwardly from the lower cylindrical bead 65 is aconical wall 66 and a bottom wall 67. An

unseating member 68, including a handle portion 69, connectable to aflushing knob or lever (not shown) is slidably disposed within a guidemember 71, vertical movement of the portions 69 serving to move thehorizontally disposed member 70 to unseat the valve element 14 duringthe flushing portion of the operative cycle.

The flush valve cage element is of a relatively rigid synthetic resinousmaterial, as for example, styrene or Plexiglas, and includes a top wallmember 75, an upper side wall member 76, a lower side wall member 77, aplurality of guide rod members 78, and a socket member 19 adapted toengage the upper portion of the overflow pipe element 17.

The valve seat element 16 is preferably formed in one or two moldedpieces, and includes an outer cylindrical wall 82 engageable with thelower side wall members 77 or. the flush valve cage element 15, and avalve seat 83. The valve seat 83 includes an outer surface 64, an innercontactsurface 85, anda rabbet portion 88 to permit accurate fitting ofthe parts during assembly.

The overflow pipe element 17 is of arcuate cross-section, to permit thesame to occupy considerably less space within the flush tank( not shown)and is integrated with the flush valve cage element 15 so that theinwardly disposed surfaces "thereof may cooperate with the guiderodrrnembers-73 in controllingthe movement of the flush valve element14. It. includes an outer curvilinear wall 190, an inner curvilinearwall 181 and a pair of planar side members 192 and 193, the members190-193, inclusive, forming a top opening 194 into which overflow watermay spill. This water flows through a lower opening 195 disposed belowthe valve seat 83 in the direction indicated by the arrow 196 on Figure2. A threaded flange member 197, which is preferably formed of bronze orbrass, is engageable with the lower portions of the overflow pipeelement 17, and the valve seat element 16, and preferably comprises theonly metallic part of the entire device 10. The flange member 197 isengageable with the bottom wall 198 of the tank or closet (not shown)and may be threadedly engaged with standard plumbing fixtures in awell-known manner.

Owing to the fact that only the cylindrical beads 63 and contact theguide rods and inner surface of the overflow pipe element 17 duringoperation, it is necessary only to unseat the valve element 14 to aslight degreeto cause the same to rise immediately to the upper portionof the cage element 15, and consequently the degree of efiort involvedwill be of a relatively low order. The horizontal member engages thelower head 65, and merely raises the same a small fraction of an inch topermit a quantity of water to flow past the valve element 14, whereinthe seal is broken and the valve element automatically flows to theupper surface of the water disposed within the tank. Owing to thesubstantially complete absence of metallic parts, no corrosion inhibitsthe movement of the flush valve or the float valve, and a long,trouble-free service is assured.

It may thus be seen that I have invented novel and highly usefulimprovements in flush valve construction for 'use in conjunction withflush tanks for water closets. Owing to the fact that substantially allof the component parts of the device may be molded from low cost plasticdies, both tooling costs and cost of unit production may be of areasonably low order. Owing to the substantial total absence of metallicparts, corrosion and malfunctioning due to the same is kept at aminimum, thereby permitting the device to function over long periods oftime without servicing. Since the parts which are formed of syntheticresins are not subject to heat during use, a wide variety of materialsmay be employed in the construction of the device, depending uponconsiderations of cost, ease of molding, and similar considerations.

I wish it to be understood that I do not consider the invention limitedto the exact details of structure shown and set forth in thisspecification, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled inthe art to which the present invention pertains.

I claim:

1. A float valve for use in conjunction with a closet or flush tankcomprising: a relatively fixed support, a first lever member pivotallyassociated with said fixed support at a first end thereof, and having asecond end thereof capable of arcuate motion with respect to said firstend; a second lever member having a principal axis, and having a firstend to which actuating motion is transmitted and a second end having acylindrically shaped member, the principal axis of which extendsperpendicular to the principal axis of said second lever memher; saidfirst lever member having a cylindrical open ing in which saidcylindrically shaped member is disposed; a third pivotally mountedmember having a first relatively fixed end and a second end capable ofarcuate motion with respect to its first end; pin means interconnectingsaid first, second and third members at the second end of each, said pinmeans being -eccentrieally disposed with respect to and having an axissubstantially parallel to said principal axis of said cylindricallyshaped member; and a valve operating rod associated with said-firstlever member.

2. In a float valve, for use in conjunction with a closet or toiletflush tank, a relatively fixed stipport'Q'fir'st-l ier member pivotallyassociated with said support at a first end thereof, and having a secondend thereof having a first opening therein, capable of arcuate motionwith respect to said first end; a second lever member having a principalaxis generally parallel to that of said first lever member, and having afirst end, to which actuating motion is transmitted and a second endhaving a second opening therein alignable with said first opening, acircular plate rotationally disposed within said first opening andhaving a centrally disposed third opening therein and an eccentricallydisposed fourth opening, pin means interconnecting said second and thirdopenings to provide relative pivotal movement between said first andsecond lever members; said second lever member having a fifth openingtherein, the axis of which is spaced and parallel with respect to saidfirst and second openings, a third member having a first end thereofwhich is arranged for pivotal movement with respect to said fixedsupport, and having a second end having a sixth opening therein, theaxis of which is ali-gnable with respect to said fourth opening in saidcircular plate and said fifth opening in said second lever member, pinmeans interconnecting fourth, fifth and sixth openings, for relativepivotal movement between said second lever member and said third member,and means interconnected with said first lever member and operated bymovement thereof for opening and closing said valve.

3. In a float valve, for use in conjunction with a closet or toiletflush tank, a relatively fixed support, a first lever member pivotallyassociated with said support at a first end thereof, and having a secondend thereof having a first opening therein, capable of arcuate motionwith respect to said first end; a second lever member having a principalaxis generally parallel to that of said first lever member, and having afirst end, to which actuating motion is applied, and a second end havinga second opening therein alignable with said first opening, a circularplate rotationally disposed within said first opening and having acentrally disposed third opening therein and an eccentrically disposedfourth opening, pin means interconnecting said second and third openingsto provide relative pivotal movement between said first and second levermembers; said second lever member having a fifth opening therein, theaxis of which is spaced and parallel with respect to said first andsecond openings, a third member having a first end thereof which isarranged for pivotal movement with respect to said fixed support, andhaving a second end having a sixth opening therein, the axis of which isalignable with respect to said fourth opening in said circular plate andsaid fifth opening in said second lever member, pin meansinterconnecting fourth, fifth and sixth openings, for relative pivotalmovement between said second lever member and said third member, andpiston means interconnected with said first lever member and operated bymovement thereof for opening and closing said valve.

4. In a float valve, for use in conjunction with a closet or toiletflush tank, a relatively fixed support having a substantially verticallydisposed opening therein, a first lever member pivotally associated withrespect to said support at a first end thereof, said first end being inspaced relation with respect to the axis of said opening in saidsupport, and having a second end thereof lying in the area of saidopening in said fixed support and having a first opening therein,capable of arcuate motion with respect to said first end; a second levermember having a principal axis generally parallel to that of said firstlever member, and having a first end, to which actuating motion isapplied, and a Second end having a second opening therein alignable withsaid first Opening, a circular plate rotationally disposed within saidfirst opening and having a centrally disposed third opening therein andan eccentrically disposed fourth opening, pin means interconnecting saidsecond and third openings to provide relative pivotal movement betweensaid first and second lever members; said second lever member having afifth opening therein, the axis of which is spaced and parallel withrespect to said first and second openings, a third member having a firstend thereof which is arranged for pivotal movement with respect to saidfixed support, and having a second end having a sixth opening therein,the axis of which is alignable with respect to said fourth opening insaid circular plate and said fifth opening in said second lever member,pin means interconnecting fourth, fifth and sixth openings, for relativepivotal movement between said second lever member and said third member,and means interconnected with said first lever member and operated bymovement thereof for opening and closing the valve.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,035,663 Utley Aug. 13, 1912 1,525,247 Leiss Feb. 3, 1925 2,097,020Cornelius Oct. 26, 1937

